Clothes washer mechanism



June 30, 1936. 4 w. A. FRANTZ ET AL 2,046,253

CLOTHES WASHER MECHANISM Or iginal Filed May 2'7, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1m wma lNVENTOR ALTER H. Penn/1'2 BY JOHNJM- CHBE W I M AT roRNEg a June30, 1936.

w. A. FRANTZ ET AL 2,045,258

CLOTHES WASHER MECHANISM Original Filed May 27, 1932 2 Sheets-Shet 2 7012' v81124 .7 98116 24 24 24 529 75 39 go a) a! 1 6667 86 59 I I *5; .rM 68 '13s 'llllll/ INVENTOR5 WA LTER l7. FRANTZ Patented June 30, 1936PATENT OFFICE CLOTHES WASHER MECHANISM Walter A. Frantz, ClevelandHeights, and John J.

McCabe, Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to Manufacturing Company,

Apex Electrical The Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Originalapplication May 27, 1932, Serial No.

Divided and this application August 8, 1933, Serial No. 684,202

24 Claims.

This invention relates to combinedclothes washing and drying machines,and inparticular machines orthe so-called gyrator type in which avertically-oscillatable dasher or agitator is employed to eiiect thewashing operationand a wringer is employed to effect the dryingoperation. This application is a division of copending application forU. S. Letters Patent, Serial No. 613,999, filed May 27, 1932 for Clotheswasher.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide in a washing machineof the type disclosed, a generally simplified and improved gearing oroperating mechanism.

Another object of this invention is topprovide an improved unitarywashing machine gear mechanism which can be constructed, assembled andtested as an operative unit, separate from the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved andsimplified gear train for driving both a washing device and a wringingdevice. Another object of this invention is to provide in a gearing ofthe type disclosed, an efficient and simple lubrication system of theforce feed in a washing machine, an improved and adjustablemounting forthe motor which operates the machine. v

Another object of this invention is to. provide an improved movementtranslating mechanism for changing rotating to oscillating movement.

Another object is to provide an improved form of gear case construction.

A further object of. this invention relates to the design, constructionand arrangement of the operating element of a washing machine, wherebysuch elements may be quickly and inexpensively produced and assembledinto a finishedmachine by modern factory production methods.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of thenovel construction, ar-

rangement and combination of parts, hereinafter described andillustratedin some of its embodiments, in the accompanying drawings andparticularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section,of a washing machine disclosing one mode of practicing our invention.Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view, partly in section, of the washermechanism gearing, showing the agitator driving rack bar in mesh withits pinion.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the gearing, taken on line 33, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the upper side of one end of thegear case, illustrating certain details of the mechanism provided forthe starting and stopping ofthe washing machine agitator.

- Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4, showingthe agitator shaft seal and certain details of the agitator drivingmechanism; and

' Figure 6 is a developed view of the worm driven reduction gear of themechanism.

Referring to the. complete washing machine illustrated by Figure 1 ofthe drawings, the numeral I indicates a washing container or tub, whichis carried on a stamped metal base 2. The base is provided with aplurality of supporting legs 3,.secured thereto in any suitable man-'ner such as by the rivets 4. The tub I, is secured to base 2, by meansof four -circumferentially spaced screws or bolts 5.

The head of the screw 5 engages a rust-proof washer 6 of mushroom shape,beneath which there is provided a rubber washer (not shown), to preventthe leakage of water through the holes in the tub provided for receivingthe screws. The screws are held in place by means of the cooperatingnuts 8 which engage the underside of the base 2.

A pad or washer 9, of rubber or other suitable material is insertedbetween the tub and the base at each of the points where the screws orbolts ,5 pass through the tub and the base, for the purpose of providinga slightly yielding securement for the tub. This arrangement isparticularly desirable when a porcelain enameled tub is used, as is donein the present case.

A band I0, formed of rubber or any other suitable material, is providedadjacent the bottom machine, and at thesame time to prevent the ingressof water and other undesirable materials between the tub and the base atthis point. The supporting legs 3 are provided with casters II, forfacilitating the handling of the machine in moving it about from placeto place.

The washing operation of the machine is effected by means of a dasheroragitator I! which extends upwardly from the bottom of the tub and whichis supported upon the shaft l3. During of the tub to give a finishedappearance to the the operation of the machine, the shaft l3 im- 5 partsa reversely rotating or oscillatory movement to the dasher |2 about itsvertical axis.

The dasher or agitator I2 is provided with a conical base plate l4,which merges into a center post l5. Vertical radially arranged agitatorvanes I6 extend from the base plate and center post. These vanes arethree in number and are equally spaced about the agitator. The vanesextend for some distance beyond the edge of the base plate, and the edgeof the vane which faces the tub bottom is upwardly slanted as at Thepurpose of extending the vanes beyond the edge of the base plate istwofold. In the first instance, a lesser amount of material is requiredfor making the agitator by reason .of using a smaller base plate andsecondly, the tendency of the clothes being washed, to work under theedge of the base plate is lessened by reason of the vanes projectingtherefrom, as the extending portion of the vanes operate to throw theclothes away from the base and to sweep a circular clothes-free path ofsome width about the marginal edge of the base plate.

The underside of the agitator is provided with a tapered central openingor socket l8, having a plurality of flat sides which engage with thesides of the prismatic end IQ, of the agitator shaft 3. The agitator isremovably secured in position on the agitator shaft by means of anelongated screw '20.

The machine is driven by means of an electric motor 2|. The motor 2| isadjustably and flexibly secured to the base portion 22, of the gearcase, which houses the operating mechanism of the machine. Thetransmission of power between the motor and the mechanism in the gearcase is accomplished by means of a V-shaped belt 23. The gear case base22 is provided with a cover 24 which may be formed from a metalstamping, as is done in the present case.

A suitable wringer 25, having upper and lower rolls 26 and 21respectively, is provided for the purpose of extracting the water fromthe clothes after the washing or rinsing operation has been completed.The wringer is carried by and secured to a wringer gear case 28, whichis journaled in thewringer column 29, so that the wringer may be swungto various adiusted positions about the axis of the wringer column. Thewringer column is secured at its lower end to the gear case cover 24,and at its upper end it is secured to the: tub I by means'of a bracket30, which is die cast about the tube forming the wringer column.

A second die casting 3| is cast about the upper end of the tube of thewringer column and it is fashioned with a flange or shoulder 3| at itsupper end to provide a rest or bearing for the wringer and itsassociated gear case 28. The flange 3| is provided with a number ofnotches 32 about its periphery. A locking lever 33, is pivotally securedat 34, to the gear case 28 for engaging the notches 32, to lock theswinging wringer in the position selected.

By means of the construction just described the wringer may be swungabout its axis and locked in several positions permitting the wringingof the clothes from the washer tub to a rinse tub, or

from one rinse'tub to another, or vice-versa. The wringer is providedwith a combined clothes chute and drain 35, for guiding the clothes fromone tub and delivering them to another, and for returning the waterextracted from. the clothes to the tub from which the clothes weretaken.

The control of the wringer is accomplished through the operation of ashiftable control lever 35, by means of which the reversing gears 36 and3|; are selectively shifted into mesh with a driving pinion 36 or heldin a neutral position whereby the wringer rolls may be caused to rotatein one direction or the other, or may be maintained 5 stationary at thewill of the operator. The mechanism for actuating the wringer isdescribed in detail in the specification of our earlier referred tocopending application.

A water pump 37, driven by the motor 2|, 10 through a V-shaped belt 38,is provided for the purpose of facilitating the operation of emptyingthe liquid contents of the tub. The inlet side of the pump is incommunication with the interior of the tub and a drain hose 39 isconnected at 15 one end to the outlet side of the pump. The other end ofthe drain hose is provided with a gooseneck 40, which is secured to thehose by means of a swivel connection 4|.

The operation of the agitator or dasher I2, is 0 controlled by means ofa lever 42, having a handgrip or knob 43 at its outer end. A combinedcover seat and splash ring 44, is rolled in the upper end of the tub tofurnish a seat for the tub cover 45 and to prevent the escape of washing25 fluid from the tub during the time the dasher is working. A handle 46is provided for'the tub cover.

The ring 44 is integrally formed with the tub and it serves to stiffenthe tub and prevent distortion of the tub when heated during theenameling operation. The upper edge of the tub is rolled or turned overat 41 to give a smooth and finished appearance to the tub. The rollededge 41 is better adapted to take a porcelain enamel finish than is astraight edge as the enamel tends to run from a sharp edge and leave itwith a very thin coating. The rolled edge also strengthens the tub andprevents distortion in the same manner as does the ring 44.

The electric motor 2| is pivotally secured to the gear case base 22 bymeans of the shaft 48. The motor mounting includes an extended arm 49,which at its end, remote from the motor, is held between a spring 50 anda wing nut 5|. The arm 49 is rigid with the motor and the tension of thebelts 23' and 38 may be easily adjusted by simply turning the wing nut5|, which operation serves to swing the motor about its pivotal support.The spring 50 is so positioned with respect to the arm 49 that itopposes the torque of the motor or the tractive efiort of the belts andthus provides a resilient and yielding drive for the mechanism. Thisarrangement tends to relieve the belts of undue strain and at the sametime serves to'quiet the operation of the machine.

By referring to Figure 2 it will be seen that the gearing of the machineis of simple construction, the essential elements of which comprise butfour gears and a rack bar. or mechanism is driven by the motor 2|,through the belt 23, which engages a pulley 52. The pulley 52 is rigidlysecured to a worm shaft 53, which extends into the 'gear case base 22and is supported therein by the gear case bearing 54 65 and theadjustable bearing 55. The bearing 54 is provided with a suitable seal54 ,to prevent the escape of oil from the gear case at this point.

A worm 56 is closely fitted to the reduced portion 53 of the shaft 53and it is threaded at 70 one end for driving engagement with thethreaded portion 51 of the said shaft. An antifriction thrust bearing 58is carried on the shaft 53, to take the thrust of the worm 56. The wormengages a worm gear 59, to reduce the speed of 75 This gearing 60 themotor to a suitable speed for driving the dasher l2, The worm gear 59 isa hobbed helical gear and it meshes in driving relation with a standardhelical gear 00. The gear is fixedly connected to and rotatable with astub shaft II. The worm shaft bearing 55 is externally threaded over aportion of its length and itis adjustably carried in the partiallythreaded opening 62 of the gear case. A jam-nut 02 serves in to holdthis hearing in its adjusted position. The end of the bearing 05 abutsagainst the thrust bearing 00 and thus provides a means for adjustingthe worm 56 in an axial direction.

The outer surface of the adjustable worm shaf 1 bearing 50 is unthreadedat the inner portion of its length and this part of the bearing isaccurately machined so as to be concentric with the shaft receivingportion of the bearing. The unthreaded portion oiv the gear case opening02 is provided for receiving the smoothly finished por- 1 tion ofthebearing. The bore of the opening 62 is in axial alignment with thebearing 54, and thus there is provided a means for piloting andmaintaining the bearing 59 in axial alignment with the bearing 94. I

'The outer surface of the bearing 55 is annu- 'larly grooved at 55* andhas one. or more communicating holes 05'' between the said groove andthe interior of the bearing. The portion of the gear case which isbroken away in Figure 2.

to illustrate the details of the bearing, is provided with an oil holewhich communicates'with the annular groove 55' and thussupplieslubricant to the portion of the worm shaft that is journaled inthe bearing 55.

The wringer drive gearing constitutes one of the novel features of ourinvention, in that we have dispensed with one of the gears customarilyemployed in driving the wringer shaft, by driving the wringer'sh'aftgear directly oil of the worm gear; This result is accomplished by usingtwo standard helical .gears 59 and 00 and by hobbing the centralportion" of the faces of the teeth ll, of the gear 59, so that it may beefficiently 4 driven by the worm 50.

By this arrangement an efllcient drive is provided between a worm, aworm gear and helical gear. The helical gears 99 and 00 are of suchwidth-so that the surface of tooth contact between the worm and thehobbed portion of the gear 59 is comparable to that between the worm anda conventional worm gear, while the unhobbed portion of the gear teethI6 is of sumclent area to efiiciently drive the gear 60 without unduewear on the teeth of the hobbed gear 59.

The worm gear 99 is provided with an eccentrically located verticalbearing for the reception of the pin 11. This pin is formed with athreaded upper end I8, which is arranged to receive a nut I9, by meansof which one end of a channeled stamped metal connecting rod 20- isrigidly secured to the pin Il. A similarly formed pin II is secured tothe other end of the rod l0 bymeans of a nut 92. The pin 0i is provided,at its lower end with a retaining washer or disc 02, which is held inplace by means of a drive screw 94.

Thepin 9| is journaled in the end of a rack bar 95, which is provided todrive a pinion l6.

' fixedly secured tothe agitator drive shaft I2 by means of a key 01.The lower end of the agitator drive shaft I2 is journaled in a bearing00, formed in the gear case base 22.

The rack bar 09 is longitudinally channeled vat l9 and 18, received in aguideway of complementary form, provided by the die-cast rack guide 90.-The rack guide serves as a means for shifting the rack bar into and outof engagement with the agitator shaft pinion as will be explainedpresently. 5

The rack guide 90-is supported at one end between a pair of horizontallyarranged plates -9I and 92, which abut against the gear case base 22 andthe gear case cover 24 respectively. The lower plate 9i is of channeledconstruction and 10 it is held in place by means of a pair of drivescrews 92.

An oval shaped opening 94 is provided in the end of the rack guide justconsidered. Vertical rack teeth 95 are provided on one ofthe side 15.faces of this opening. These rack teeth are engaged by an elongatedmutilated pinion gear 96, by means of which the guide 90 is shiftedtoward and away from the agitator shaft I3 and in this manner theengagement and disengagement of 20 the gear teeth of the rack bar 05with the gear teeth of the agitator shaft pinion 96 is effected.

The rack guide 90 extends to a point adjacent to the agitator shaft andterminates thereat in a forked end 91, which embraces and slidably 25engages with the bearing surfaces formed on the downwardly extendingportion 90, of the die-cast bearing member 99. By means of thearrangement just described, the rack guide 90 is slidably supported inthe gear case, and it provides a relatively rigid guide-way for the rackbar 05, for its various adjusted positions.

The agitator shaft bearing member 99' is bolted to the gear case cover24, by means of six bolts I00 three of which are shown in Figure 4. Anannular ring IN is welded or otherwise secured to the under side of thegear case cover about an opening which is provided for reception of thebearing member 99. The annular ring and gear case cover have drilled andtapped holes I00 for 40 receiving the bolts I00. The bearing member 99is provided with an annular cup I02, for catching and retaining thesmall amount of oil or grease which may escape from either the packingmaterial I02 provided to seal the shaft I9, or from 45 the gear caseitself, by way of the agitator shaft bearing.

Should an unusual amount of oil collect in the cup I02, the capillaryattraction of the packing I09 will tend to take up some of it, whilegravity 50 also acts to return such oil to the gear case. If desired,the cup I02 may be packed with hardgrease to better insure thelubrication of the shaft packing and the shaft bearing over an extendedperiod of time and thus at the same time to as- 55 sist in preventingthe escape of water from the tub and oil from the gear case.

The packing material I09 is automatically maintained in fiuid tightadjustment about the shaft I3,by means of 'a slidably fitted packing 60gland I08 and a flat spiral spring I09, which is interposed between thenut I06 and the gland I08.

The lower nut I00 and the inner face of the upwardly extending sleeve orcollar IIO of the bearing member 99, are formed with a plurality 5 ofcomplementary flat sides, those of the bearing member being'referred toby the numeral 0'. The nut I00 is loosely fitted in the sleeve. IIO ofthe, bearing member 99. The complementary 70 flat sides of the nut I08and the sleeve IIO, cooperate with each other to prevent the nut fromunthreading itself from the cup I04 and they also serve to hold the nutfrom turning, thus facilitating the application or removal of the uppernut 75 I05. The packing means just described, is supported entirely bythe tub bottom and is free to move on the shaft which it seals to takecare of irregularities in the fitting of the parts of the machine and topermit relative movement between the tub and the operating mechanism.

A plurality of small retainer plates III; are secured to the bearingmember by certain of the retaining bolts lim to retain the quadrant H2in a rotatable manner on the bearing member 99. A gear sector I I1 isintegrally formed with the quadrant H2. The gear teeth II8 of thesector, mesh with the gear teeth II9 of a die-cast segmental gear I20.The segmental gear has a toothed socket for receiving the upper end ofthe rack shifting pinion 96 and it is securely held in place thereon bymeans of the bolt I2I.

The segmental gear I20 is provided with a stop I22, which cooperateswith a stop I23 formed on the gear sector I". These stops are fittedwith respect to each other, so that the rack bar 85 and pinion 86 are inproper driving relation when the stops are in engagement with eachother. In the event of wear taking place between the pinion 86 and therack bar 85, a small amount of material is filed or otherwise removedfrom the contacting portions of the stops I22 and I23 to compensat-e forsuch wear and thus a very fine adjustment can be obtained between therack bar and the pinion of the agitator shaft.

The rack bar shifting pinion 96 is provided with.

an enlarged portion at its lower end which is re ceived in a bearingsocket I24, formed in the gear case base 22. An upwardly flanged ring H5is pressed out of the gear case cover to receive the bearing portion I25of the segmental gear I20. A packing washer I26 of cork or othersuitable material, is engaged between a downwardly extending annularflange of the gear I20 and the ring II5 of the gear case cover toprevent the escape of oil from the gear case at this point.

Special provision is made for the lubrication of the rack bar, itsguideway, the agitator shaft and pinion and the bearing pins TI and 8|.This is accomplished in the following manner: A spiral groove I2? is cutin the face of the pin 11. The groove starts from the bottom of the pinand terminates in a laterally drilled port I28, located a slightdistance from the top of the bearing portion of the pin. The port I28communicates with a centrally drilled hole I29 in the top of the pin.The channeled connecting rod has a hole I30. located adjacent to the pin8! and above the end of the rack bar for the escape of the oil sup pliedto the rod.

During the operation of the motor 2|, oil from the lowest part of thegear case, into which the pin 11 dips, is forced upv the spiral grooveI21 to the port I28 and delivered out of the hole I 29 to the channel ofthe rod 80. The oil received in the channeled rod 80, cscapcs by way ofthe hole I 30, from where it is delivered to the top of the end of therack bar. From this point the oil flows over the rack bar andeffectively lubricates the pin BI, the rack bar 85, the pinion 86 andits shaft I3.

The wringer column supporting die casting 30 is provided with anaperture or slot, between the wringer column and the washing machinetub. This slot provides an opening for the reception of the gooseneck40'of the drain hose which is conveniently located for use by theoperator of the machine. The die casting 30 is secured to the tub bymeans of the bolts I3I.

The gear case base 22, has a pair of downwardly extending ears I32,providing a pair of aligned openings I33, for the reception of the motorsupporting shaft 48. The shaft 48 is surrounded by a rubber sleeve (notshown). plates I34 and I35 receive the rubber sleeve in matched channelsformed in the opposite plates.

The plates are further provided with matched openings for the receptionof the bolts, by means of which the plates are secured in assembled re-10 A pair of electrically insulating washers I39, 20

separate the spring 50 and nut 5I from the arm .49, so that the motor iselectrically insulated from the rest of the machine by such washers andthe aforesaid rubber sleeve. As an added precaution to insure'theinsulation of the motor from the 25 rest of the machine, the sleeve isprovided with flanged ends, so that the motor cannot slip sideways onthe sleeve and thus become grounded' These features of construction areillustrated and described in detail in our earlier referred to copendingapplication.

The tub supporting frame or base 2, as shown in Figure 1, is formed froma single stamped metal piece with a depending skirt I40 at its marginaledge to give it strength and rigidity. A 35 triangular piece is punchedout of the central portion of the base to provide an opening for theaccommodation of the bearing member 93 and the three bolts I00 shown inFigure4 which are used initially to secure the bearing member Q theholes pierced in the base and are received 45 in threaded holes I00 ofthe gear case cover.

Adjacent to the opposite endof the gear case, there is provided a pairof ears I4I, which extend out beyond the edge of the gear case cover 24.The gear case at these points has threaded holes I42, which line up withthe holes which are pierced in the depressed cups I43 of the base whenthe gear case is in position on the base. The stated holes are providedfor receiving suitable bolts I44 for securing the wringer shaft end ofthe gear case to the base. Accurately fitted spacer tubes I45 surroundthe bolts I44 and bridge the space between the base 2 and ears I4I ofthegear case. 60

The base 2 is pierced with a hole for permitting the' connection of thepump to the drain opening of the tub. A hole is. provided in the basefor facilitating the adjusting of the rack shifting gearing after thegear case has been secured to the base and before the tub has beeninstalled. Four holes are pierced in the top of the base for receivingthe tub holding bolts 5. The skirt of the base is pierced for receivingthe rivets 4, which hold the'legs 3 in place. 70

cut-away portion an elongated slot I46 is punched 75 A pair of stamped 5out of the skirt to provide an aperture for the accommodation of therack shifting lever 42.

Av locking plate I41, for the control lever 42 is secured over the slotI46 by means of a pair of bolts (not shown), which extend throughnarrowed end portions of the slot I46; The plate I41, has a slot I48which registers with the slot I46 of the base. Each end ofthe slot I48is notched to provide a catch for the lever 42 for the purpose ofholding the rack bar and its control elements in either an operative orinoperative position. The lever 42 is slightly sprung in a downwarddirection for the purpose of maintaining it in either one of theaforesaid notches.

The plate I41 may be laterally adjusted to cost of the machine, the useof stampings and die castings is resorted to wherever possible. Suchproducts can be held very closely to a uniform size, and in addition toa lower piece'cost the generous use of stampings and die castings alsomakes it possible to lower assembly costs on account of theuniformity ofthe individual pieces which are used to make up the complete machine.

The stamped metal elements used in the constructlon of this machinecomprise the tub I, the base 2, the legs 3, the gear case cover 24, themotor supporting plates I34 and I35 and a large number of such smallerpieces as are customarily formed from stampings.

The die cast parts of the machine comprise the agitator I2, the wringergear case 28, the wring'er column supporting member 30, and collar 3|,the bearing members 69 and 99, the rack bar guide, the pump base I 3|,the pump 31, and a number a of smaller parts which are of such shape asto be most economically formed from die castings. The operating unitcomprising motor and gear case, is arranged to be assembled and testedas a unit separate'frorn the rest of the machine. After test this unitis secured to the base of the machine in the manner previouslydescribed. The three centrally located base engaging bolts I and the twobolts I44, securing the spaced ears I to the base, provide in effect asubstantially three-point suspension for the operating unit. 1

The surfaces of the ears I are ground level with the top of the gearcase 22 thus providing a ground surface from which to work in assemb ingthe operating elements of the machine. The other point of contactbetween the base 2 and the gear case is by way of the die casting 99,which is supported by the stamped cover 24, which in turn rests on theground surface 22 of the top of the gear case base 22. Most of themachining operations performed .onthe gear case are made with referenceto the ground surface 22, referred to. a r

By building the machine from a ground sur-, face as described, and bythe use of stampings and die casings, very close limits of tolerance canbe maintained with ease, resulting in a uniformity of product in .which'the spacing and alignment of the various operating elements a rotatorydriven shaft; a rotatory driving shaft,

easily can be held within the permissible limits of accuracy.

Cracking and chipping of the porcelain enameled tub is greatly reduced,if not entirely prevented, by the use of a floating seal for theagitator shaft. This construction takes care of the slight differencesin level between the gear case and tub bottom and at the same timeallows the tub to freely expand and contract under the large temperaturechanges to which it is subjected.

' Furthermore, it is to be understood that the particular forms ofapparatus shown and described, and the particular procedure set forth,are presented for purposes of explanation and that various modificationsof said apparatus and procedure can be made without departing from thisinvention as described in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention what we claim is:

1. A gear mechanism for laundry machines and the like comprising, anoscillatory driven shaft, a rotatory driven shaft, a rotatory drivingshaft, a single worm driven by said driving shaft, a single worm gear inmesh therewith, motion con verting means for connecting said worm gearto said oscillatory driven shaft, and a gear meshing with said' wormgear for connecting said rotatory driven shaft with said rotatorydriving shaft.

2. A gear mechanism for laundry machines and the like comprising, anoscillatory driven shaft, 9, rotatory driven shaft, a rotatory drivingshaft, a single worm driven by said driving shaft, an associated helicalgear in mesh therewith the opposite faces of the teeth of which havehobbed and unhobbed portions, motion converting means for connectingsaid helical gear to said oscillatory driven shaft, and a gear meshingwith the 1mhobbedportion of said hobbed helical gear for connecting saidrotatory driven shaft with said rotatory driving shaft.

3. A gear mechanism for laundry machines and the-like comprising, anoscillatory driven shaft, a rotatory driven shaft, a rotatory drivingshaft, a single worm driven by said driving shaft, a single worm gear inmesh therewith, a pitman driven by said worm gear, a rack bar driven bysaid pitman, a pinion fixed on said oscillatory shaft and meshing withsaid rack bar, and a gear meshing with said worm gear for connectingsaid rotatory driven shaft with said rotatory driving shaft. 7

4. A gear mechanism for laundry machines and thelike comprising, anoscillatory driven shaft,

'9. rotatory driven shaft, a rotatory driving shaft,

, shaft.

5. A gear mechanism for laundry machines and the like comprising, anoscillatory driven shaft,

a single worm driven by said last named shaft, a single worm in meshtherewith, 'a pitman driven by said worm gear, a reciprocating rack bar.driven by said pitman, a pinion fixed on said oscillatory shaft andmeshing with said rack bar, a bearingmember for supporting and guidingsaid rack bar for rectilinear reciprocating movement, and a gear meshingwith said worm gear for connecting said rotatory driven shaft with saidrotatory driving shaft.

6. A gear mechanism comprising, an oscillatory driven shaft, a rotatorydriven shaft, a rotatory driving shaft, a single worm driven by saiddriving shaft, a single worm gear in mesh therewith, motion convertingmeans associated with said gears for connecting said oscillatory drivenshaft with said rotatory driving shaft, a gear meshing with said wormgear for connecting said rotatory driven shaft with said rotatorydriving shaft, a gear case for receiving the aforesaid elements,bearings formed in said gear case for said driving and said drivenshafts, a cover for said gear case, and bearings carried by said coverfor said driven shafts.

7. A gear mechanism comprising, an oscillatory driven shaft, a rotatorydriven shaft, a rotatory drivingshaft, a single worm driven by saiddriving shaft, a single worm gear in mesh therewith, motion convertingmeans associated with said gears for connecting said oscillatory drivenshaft with said rotatory driving shaft, a gear meshing with said wormgear for connecting said rotatory driven shaft with said rotatorydriving shaft, a gear case for receiving the aforesaid elements,bearings formed in said gear case for said driving and said drivenshafts, a stamped metal cover for said gear case, and die cast bearingscarried by said cover for said driven shafts.

8. A gear mechanism comprising, an oscillatory driven shaft, a rotatorydriven shaft, a rotatory driving shaft, a single worm driven by saiddriving shaft, a single worm gear in mesh therewith motion convertingmeans associated with said gears for connecting said oscillatory drivenshaft with said rotatory driving shaft, a gear meshing with said wormgear for connecting said rotatory driven shaft with said rotatorydriving shaft, a gear case for receiving the aforesaid elements,bearings formed in said gear case for said driving and said drivenshafts, a stamped metal cover for said gear .case, and die cast bearingscarried by said cover for said driven shafts, one at least of said diecast bearings being cast in an .opening of the cover so as to form anintegral part of the cover.

9. A gear mechanism comprising, an oscillatory driven shaft, a rotatorydriven shaft, a rotatory driving shaft, a single worm driven by saiddriving shaft, a single worm gear in mesh therewith, motion convertingmeans associated with said gears for connecting said oscillatory drivenshaft with said rotatory driving shaft, a

gear meshing with said worm gear for connecting said rotatory drivenshaft with said rotatory driving shaft, a gear case for receiving theaforesaid elements, bearings formed in said gear case for said drivingand said driven shafts, a stamped metal cover for said gear case, anddie cast bearing s carried by said cover for said driven shafts,

one of said die cast bearings being cast in an opening of the cover soas to form an integral Part of the cover, the other of said die castbearings being removably secured to said cover.

10. A gearing for converting rotary motion into oscillatory motioncomprising, a driving Worm, a gear in mesh therewith, a pin joumaled'eccentrically in said gear and removably received therein, a pitmanfixedly engaged at one end by said pin, a second pin fixedly securedtothe other end of said pitman, a rack bar having a bearing for receivingsaid second pin, means for securing said second pin and said rack baragainst relative axial movements, a pinion meshing with the teeth ofsaid rack bar, a guideway for supporting said rack bar for rectilinearmovement, and means for supporting said guideway 5 for rectilinearmovement.

11. A gearing for converting rotary motion into oscillatory motioncomprising, a driving worm,

a gear in mesh therewith, a pin journaled eccentrically in said gear, apitman eng ed at one 10 end by said pin, a second pin secured to theother end of said pitman, a channeled rack bar having a bearing forreceiving said second pin and permitting movement of said pitman withrespect to said rack bar about the axis of said 15 second pin, a pinionmeshing with the teeth of said rack bar, a guideway having channels ofsubstantial length complementary to the channels of said rack bar forreceiving and supporting said rack bar for reciprocating movement in 20the path formed by the channels of the guideway, and means for shiftingsaid guideway to eifect the engagement and disengagement of the gearteeth of said rack bar and pinion.

12. A combined force feed and gravity lubrication system for washingmachine gear mechanism comprising, an oil retaining gear case having adepressed and a raised part, rotating and oscillating mechanism havingbearing surfaces and mounted respectively in the depressed and raised 30parts of said gear case, means in the lower part of said gear caseincluding one of the essential elements of said rotating mechanism forpumping oil above the level of the raised part of said gear case, andmeans including one of the essen- 35 tial elements of said oscillatingmechanism for conveying such oil to the bearing surfaces of theoscillating mechanism of said gear case.

13. A combined force feed and gravity lubrication system for washingmachine gear mechanisms comprising, an oil retaining gear case having adepressed and a raised part, rotating and oscillating mechanism havingbearing surfaces and mounted respectively'in the depressed and raisedparts of said gear case, said rotating mechanism including a groovedshaft and its bearing dipping into the oil of the depressed part of saidgear case whereby the relative rotation of said shaft and bearing forcesthe oil upwardly in the groove of said shaft to a higher point and theredischarges it, and means including said oscillating.mechanism forconveying such oil to the bearing surfaces of the oscillating mechanismof said gear case. a

14. In a laundry machine, a supporting structure, a self containedoperating unit for said machine adapted for operation and test underitsown power prior to its installation in the machine, said unit comprisinga gear case having an oscillatory driven shaft and a rotatory driving 60shaft traversing a wall of said case and extending therefrom, mechanismin said gear case connecting said driving shaft to said driven shaft, amotor supported by said gear case and a belt connecting said motor tosaid driving shaft, and 5 means for detachably securing said unit tosaid supporting structure.

15. In a laundry machine, a supporting structure, self-containedoperating unit for said machine adapted for operation and test under its70 ing said driving shaft to said driven shaft, a motor adjustablysupported by said gear case, a power transmission belt connecting saidmotor to said driving shaft and means for adjusting the position of saidmotor and thus adjusting the tension of said belt being adjusted bymoving said motor, and means for detachably securing said unit to saidsupporting structure.

16. An operating mechanism for a washing machine comprising, a drivenshaft, a pinion. fixed on said shaft, a rack bar for oscillating saidpinion and shaft, power means for reciprocating said rack bar, a guidefor said rack bar, means for mounting said guide for movement in astraight line perpendicular to the axis of said shaft, rack teeth formedon said guide, a pinion engaging said rack teeth, and a control leverfor rotating said pinion whereby to throw the gear teeth of said pinionand rack bar into and out of mesh for the purpose of connecting anddisconnecting said driving shaft to said power means.

17. An operating mechanism for a washing machine comprising, a drivingshaft, a pinion fixed on said shaft, a rack bar for oscillating saidpinion and shaft, power means for reciprocating said rack bar, a guidefor said rack bar, means for mounting said guide for movement in astraight line perpendicular to the axis of said shaft, a gear case forthe aforesaid elements, a support for said gear case, rack teeth formedon said guide, a pinion engaging said rack teeth and projecting fromsaid gear case, a second pinion secured to said first pinion, anenlarged gear meshing with said second pinion, and a control leverengaging said enlarged gear for rotating the same to connect anddisconnect said driving shaft to said power means.

18. In a gear mechanism, an oil-retaining gear case, a rotatory drivenshaft traversing a wall of said gear case, and a speed reducing geartrain for driving said driven shaft comprising, a driving shaftextending through said gear case, a single worm inside said gear casedriven by said driving shaft, a single reduction gear meshing with saidworm and a driven gear meshing with said reduction gear and operablyconnected to said driven shaft.

19. A gearing for washing machines and the like comprising anoil-retaining gear case having a base member with a plane finished topsurface and bearing apertures machined in said base member withreference to said top surface, gearing including shafts in saidapertures, and motor means for driving certain of said shafts having amotor supporting shaft received in certain of said apertures.

20. A gearing for washing machines and the like comprising anoil-retaining gear case having a base member with a plane finished topsurface,

a stamped metal cover for said base member, bearing members carried bysaid cover, and bearings, bearing receiving openings and openings for amotor supporting means, all machined in said base member with referenceto its top surface, gearing including shafts journaled in said bearingsand bearing members and projecting from said cover and base member, andmotor means for driving the shaft'of said gearing which projects fromsaid base member, said motor means having a supporting shaft received inthe stated openings provided therefor.

21. A gearing for converting rotary motion into oscillatory motioncomprising, a driving worm, a gear in mesh therewith, a pin journaledeccentrically in said gear, a pitman engaged at one end by said pin, asecond pin secured to the other end of said pitman, a channeled rack barhaving a bearing for receiving said second pin, a pinion meshing withthe teeth of said rack bar, a guideway for supporting said rack bar forrectilinear movement, means for supporting said guideway for rectilinearmovement at right angles to the axis of said pinion, and means forshifting said guideway to effect the engagement and disengagement of thegear teeth of said rack bar and pinion.

22. A gearing for converting rotary motion into oscillatory motioncomprising, a driving worm, a gear in mesh therewith, a pin journaledeccentrically in said gear, a pitman engaged at one end by said pin, asecond pin secured to the other end of said pitman, a channeled rack barhaving a bearing for receiving said second pin, a pinion meshing withthe teeth of said rack bar, a guide way for supporting said rack bar forrectilinear movement, and means including an operating member movableabout the axis of said pinion for shifting said guideway to eflect theengagement and disengagement of the gear teeth of said rack bar andpinion.

23. In a mechanism ofthe type described, a gear case, and gearing insaid gear cas'e including a shaft traversing a wall of the gear case;said gear case being formed in part by a relatively heavy, relativelyrigid casting, a relatively light, stamped metal cover for said gearcase, means for securing said cover to said casting whereby therelatively rigid casting reinforces the relatively more flexible cover,and a die-cast bearing for said shaft at the place where the shafttraverses the gear case, said bearing being cast about an opening insaid cover and forming an integral part of the cover.

24. In a mechanism of the type described, a gear case, and gearing insaid gear case including a shaft traversing a wall of the gear case;said gear case being formed in part by a relatively heavy, relativelyrigid casting having a bearing rigid therewith for said shaft, arelatively light, stamped metal cover for said gear case, means forsecuring said cover to said casting whereby the relatively rigid castingreinforces the relatively more flexible cover, and a bearing for saidshaft secured to said cover in substantial alignment with said firstnamed bearing.

WALTER A. FRAN'I'Z. JOHN J. MCCABE.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,046,258. June 50, 1936.

WALTER A. FRANTZ. ET AL.

1 It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5,second column, line 71 claim 5, after the word "worm" insert gear; andthat the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction thereinthat the same may conform to the record of the case in the PatentOffice.

Signed. and sealed this 8th day of September, A. D. 1936.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents

